In a surprising turn of events, Marvin McNutt and Brandon Gibson were Miami’s starting receivers in Monday’s scrimmage. Both Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline suited up but did not play.

Hartline injured (Allen Eyestone / Post)

Hartline appeared to have suffered an injury. He was talking to a trainer after the scrimmage started, and fans sitting near him said it looked like he pulled his left calf during warm ups. Coach Joe Philbin and players were not made available to the media after the scrimmage.

An injury to Hartline would be troubling for a receiving corps that already lost Armon Binns for the season. Rishard Matthews has also missed recent practices with an undisclosed injury.

But Wallace’s absence is even more mysterious. It wouldn’t make sense for the team to just rest him considering he and quarterback Ryan Tannehill are trying to develop chemistry. One possible theory: Once Hartline went down, the team got nervous and figured it couldn’t risk an injury to Wallace. Plus it’s more important for the team to evaluate guys like McNutt who are on the bubble to make the final roster.

If Wallace missed the scrimmage for any other reason, we might not know until Wednesday. Players and coaches are off Tuesday.

DEFENSE DOMINATES: Yes, Tannehill threw three touchdowns (Daniel Thomas, Dustin Keller, Charles Clay), but two were in red zone drills and one came on a short drive. Tannehill didn’t look bad, but the offense without Wallace and Hartline had trouble picking up first downs.

New linebacker Phlip Wheeler was active every time he was on the field and had two pass break ups. Even first-round choice Dion Jordan had a sack. Cornerback Will Davis, a third-round draft choice, had an interception in the end zone off a Pat Devlin pass. Davis continues to improve while fellow rookie cornerback Jamar Taylor, a second-round draft choice, has been missing practices after having offseason sports-hernia surgery.

GILLISLEE STRONG: Daniel Thomas had a touchdown reception and didn’t play poorly, but rookie tailback Mike Gillislee had a strong showing as he fights for playing time this season.

Gillislee ran six times for 20 yards and looked comfortable in the passing game with two receptions for 21 yards. He did have a fumble, but overall it was a successful night for him.

Dustin Keller with a reception (Allen Eyestone / Post)

SCRIMMAGE NOTES:

– Undrafted rookie receiver Chad Bumphis of all people led the Dolphins with 41 receiving yards. Bumphis also made a nice catch in coverage for a touchdown off a Pat Devlin pass. Charles Clay had 24 receiving yards, McNutt had 23 yards and Gillislee had 21.

– Lamar Miller ran five times for 12 yards and a touchdown. Daniel Thomas ran four times for 15 yards and a touchdown reception. Gillislee was six for 20 with a fumble. Jonas Gray ran for a touchdown.

– A surprising 22,876 fans came out for the free scrimmage. Last year, when the scrimmage was held on a Saturday morning, about 4,000 showed up. Everyone loves Monday Night Football.

– Kicker Dan Carpenter, who is competing with rookie Caleb Sturgis for the starting job, made field goals from 50, 45 and 32 yards and missed two 49-yard attempts. Sturgis is recovering from a groin injury and didn’t play.

– The Dolphins continue to shuffle their offensive line with the injury to John Jerry. Jerry, who is on crutches and wearing an Ace knee bandage and is out for undetermined amount of time, might not be the starter even when he’s healthy. Backup center Josh Samuda started the game at left guard while Richie Incognito shifted to right guard. Samuda had been playing center while center Mike Pouncey shifted to right guard in recent practices. Miami has also been playing rookie third-round draft choice Dallas Thomas at left guard.